‘Who knows where that goes’: Woodman-Wickliffe on World Cup return

Black Ferns winger Portia Woodman-Wickliffe has “no regrets at all” about coming out of Test retirement to play at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, although the future remains uncertain for the New Zealand Rugby icon.

Woodman-Wickliffe will start on the wing for New Zealand in their upcoming Rugby World Cup Bronze Final against France at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium, five months after the record-breaking Black Fern returned to the international fold.

Rikki Swannell wrote a piece for RugbyPass 158 days before the third-place playoff, revealing Woodman-Wickliffe wanted to play at the showpiece event in England, following a sensational season with the Blues in Super Rugby Aupiki.

Black Ferns captain Kennedy Tukuafu after defeat to Canada

Black Ferns captain Kennedy Tukuafu after defeat to Canada

Already a two-time World Cup winner after the 2017 and 2021 events, Woodman-Wickliffe was named in the Black Ferns squad on July 25. In the team’s second match, the winger made history, becoming the first New Zealander – male or female – to score 50 Test tries.

Woodman-Wickliffe has only played 33 Tests.

Ahead of Saturday’s Bronze Final, which will mark the end of this World Cup cycle for the Black Ferns, Woodman-Wickliffe was asked about her future. Without giving anything away, the woman many consider to be the ‘GOAT’ is just enjoying the occasion for what it is.

“I’ve already had a final match and we’re back here again,” Woodman-Wickliffe told reporters at Allianz Stadium on Friday.

“Ultimately I’m taking it as an opportunity to play in the black jersey. No one really knows whether it’s your last match, whether you get selected, injury, and all that comes with it. I’m taking it as another opportunity.

“Next year, who knows where that goes. Ultimately, I really want to have babies at some stage and that plan is kind of on the go as well.

“It’s always your last match, you always play the black jersey as your last match and I’m really grateful for this opportunity.”

New Zealand’s reign as Rugby World Cup champions came to an end last week in Bristol, with Canada running away with a 34-19 win. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u and Braxton Sorensen-McGee scored the Black Ferns’ second-half tries as they mounted a valiant comeback.

While it wasn’t their day at Ashton Gate, the Black Ferns are intent on ending their World Cup campaign on a winning note against Les Bleues. France fell short of an upset win against tournament hosts England in the semi-finals, losing 35-17.

World Rugby 15s Women’s Player of the Year nominee Jorja Miller returns to the starting side after missing the semi-final defeat. Miller has also been nominated for 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year, with teammate Sorensen-McGee also up for that award.

“If you think of the Black Ferns and the legacy that we’ve had, it’s all about holding it close to our hearts but it’s never ours to hold onto forever. It’s just ours to be a caretaker. We always try to give back to the jersey and leave it in a better place,” Woodman-Wickliffe explained.

“Playing for third and fourth to show the world what we can do despite not playing the game that we want to be playing, we will hold our heads high with absolute pride in our abilities and ourselves personally.”